ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2008 State Policies / Activities

Education Commission of the States • 700 Broadway, Suite 810 • Denver, CO 80203-3442 • 303.299.3600 • fax 303.296.8332 • www.ecs.org

The following summary includes policies enacted in 2008. This database is made possible by your state's fiscal support of the Education Commission of the States (ECS). Most entries are legislative, although rules/regulations and executive orders that make substantive changes are included. Every effort is made to collect the latest available version of policies; in some instances, recent changes might not be reflected. For expediency purposes minimal attention has been paid to style (capitalization, punctuation) and format. To view the documents, click on the blue triangle next to the topic of interest. To view all, press the button located at the top labeled "Expand All."

Please cite use of the database as: Education Commission of the States (ECS) State Policy Database, retrieved [date].

State Status/Date Level Summary
+ Accountability
+ Accountability--Measures/Indicators
+ Accountability--Reporting Results
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--No Pass No Drive
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--No Pass No Play
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--Takeovers
+ Accountability--School Improvement
+ Adult Basic Education
+ Assessment
+ Assessment--Accommodations
+ Assessment--Computer Based
+ Assessment--End-of-Course
+ Assessment--Formative/Interim
+ Assessment--High Stakes/Competency
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol
+ Attendance
+ Attendance--Truancy
+ Background Checks
+ Bilingual/ESL
+ Business Involvement
+ Career/Technical Education
+ Career/Technical Education--Career Academies/Apprenticeship
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Finance
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Research
+ Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment
+ Choice of Schools--Innovation Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Magnet or Specialized Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Tax Credits
+ Choice of Schools--Vouchers
+ Civic Education
+ Civic Education--Character Education
+ Civic Education--Pledge of Allegiance
+ Class Size
+ Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Alignment
+ Curriculum--Arts Education
+ Curriculum--Drivers Education
+ Curriculum--Environmental Education
+ Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed.
+ Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language
+ Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education
+ Curriculum--International Education
+ Curriculum--Language Arts
+ Curriculum--Mathematics
+ Curriculum--Multicultural
+ Curriculum--Physical Education
+ Curriculum--Science
+ Curriculum--Sex Education
+ Curriculum--Social Studies/History
+ Demographics--Condition of Children/Adults
+ Demographics--Enrollments
+ Desegregation
+ Economic/Workforce Development
+ Education Research
+ Equity
+ Federal
+ Finance
+ Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost
+ Finance--Aid to Private Schools
+ Finance--Bonds
+ Finance--District
+ Finance--Equity
+ Finance--Facilities
+ Finance--Federal
+ Finance--Funding Formulas
+ Finance--Local Foundations/Funds
+ Finance--Lotteries
+ Finance--Resource Efficiency
+ Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures
+ Finance--Student Fees
+ Finance--Taxes/Revenues
+ Finance--Taxes/Revenues--Alternative Revenues
+ Governance
+ Governance--Deregulation/Waivers/Home Rule
+ Governance--Ethics/Conflict of Interest
+ Governance--School Boards
+ Governance--School Boards--Training
+ Governance--Site-Based Management
+ Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies
+ Health
+ Health--Child Abuse
+ Health--Mental Health
+ Health--Nutrition
+ Health--School Based Clinics or School Nurses
+ Health--Suicide Prevention
+ Health--Teen Pregnancy
+ High School
+ High School--Advanced Placement
+ High School--College Readiness
+ High School--Dropout Rates/Graduation Rates
+ High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment
+ High School--Exit Exams
+ High School--GED (General Education Development)
+ High School--Graduation Requirements
+ High School--International Baccalaureate
+ Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Instructional Approaches--Single-Sex Education
+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ Leadership
+ Leadership--District Superintendent
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Certification and Licensure
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Evaluation and Effectiveness
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Preparation
+ Middle School
+ Minority/Diversity Issues
+ Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian
+ No Child Left Behind
+ No Child Left Behind--Adequate Yearly Progress
+ No Child Left Behind--Assessment
+ No Child Left Behind--Choice/Transfer
+ No Child Left Behind--Consequences for Schools
+ No Child Left Behind--Finance
+ No Child Left Behind--School Support
+ No Child Left Behind--Special Populations
+ No Child Left Behind--Supplemental Services
+ Online Learning--Digital/Blended Learning
+ Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses
+ P-16 or P-20
+ P-3
+ P-3 Child Care
+ P-3 Early Intervention (0-3)
+ P-3 Ensuring Quality
+ P-3 Evaluation/Economic Benefits
+ P-3 Family Involvement
+ P-3 Finance
+ P-3 Governance
+ P-3 Grades 1-3
+ P-3 Kindergarten
+ P-3 Kindergarten--Full Day Kindergarten
+ P-3 Preschool
+ P-3 Teaching Quality/Professional Development
+ Parent/Family
+ Parent/Family--Parent Rights
+ Partnerships--University/School
+ Postsecondary
+ Postsecondary Accountability
+ Postsecondary Accountability--Accreditation
+ Postsecondary Accountability--Diploma Mills
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Undocumented Immigrants
+ Postsecondary Faculty
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Compensation
+ Postsecondary Finance
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges
+ Postsecondary Institutions--For-Profit/Proprietary
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Private/Independent
+ Postsecondary Online Instruction
+ Postsecondary Participation--Access
+ Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements
+ Postsecondary Participation--Affirmative Action
+ Postsecondary Participation--Outreach
+ Postsecondary Students--Foster Youth
+ Postsecondary Students--Graduate/Professional
+ Postsecondary Students--Military
+ Postsecondary Students--Minority
+ Postsecondary Success--Completion--Completion Rates (Statistics)
+ Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation
+ Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation
+ Private Schools
+ Privatization
+ Promotion/Retention
+ Public Involvement
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Religion
+ Religion--Scientific Creationism (Evolution)
+ Rural
+ Scheduling/School Calendar
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Day/Class Length
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Summer School
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Week
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Year
+ School Safety
+ School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution
+ School Safety--Code of Conduct
+ School Safety--Corporal Punishment
+ School Safety--Disaster/Emergency Preparedness
+ School Safety--Expulsion/Suspension
+ School Safety--No Child Left Behind--Safe Schools
+ School Safety--Sexual Harassment and Assault
+ School Safety--Special Education
+ School/District Structure/Operations
+ School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Food Service
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Libraries
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Personnel (Non-Teaching)
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Shared Services
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation
+ Service-Learning
- Special Education
NYAdopted 10/2008P-12Special Education Programs and Services
Title 8 NYCRR Section 177.2
Adds a new section to establish a dispute resolution mechanism for costs for special education services provided to a non-resident student w...

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CAVetoed 09/2008P-12Autism disorder clearinghouse
A.B. 1872
Establishes the State Autism Spectrum Disorder Clearinghouse within the State Department of Education to provide evidence-based resources, r...

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CAVetoed 09/2008P-12Autism
S.B. 1475
Requires the State Department of Developmental Services to establish a pilot project to provide methods, instruments, and systems of care be...

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FLAdopted 09/2008P-12Math Performance Standards for Students w/ Disabilities
FAC 6A-1.09401
Amends rule to address the Sunshine State Standards math access points for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Sunshine State...

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NYSigned into law 09/2008P-12Request for Adult Services
A.B. 9225
Requires the Commissioner of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities to notify the Committee on Special Education, multidisciplina...

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NYSigned into law 09/2008P-12Special Education Services Outside the School Setting
S.B. 7981
Provides that members of committees on special education may provide parents of a child with a disability with a list of programs and servic...

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CASigned into law 08/2008P-12Council on Developmental Disabilities
S.B. 1774
Amends existing law that creates a state council on developmental disabilities appointed by the Governor. Requires that the state council in...

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ILSigned into law 08/2008P-12Residential Programs
S.B. 2042
Amends the School Code and the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Distinguishes funding provisions for students in residential programs who are not...

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ILSigned into law 08/2008P-12Assorted Amendments to the School Code
S.B. 2482
Repeals the Professional Development Block Grant. Amends requirements related to annual census for special education, such that census must ...

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NCSigned into law 08/2008P-12Children Placed in Private Psychiatrict Facilities
H.B. 2306
Requires the State Board of Education and Department of Health and Human Services to determine responsibility for children with disabilities...

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NYSigned into law 08/2008P-12
S.B. 8497
Requires that each certified school administrator or supervisor assigned on or after September 2, 2009 to be a special education administrat...

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NYAdopted 08/2008P-12Special Education Programs
Title 8 NYCRR Sections 177.1, 200.1, 200.3-200.7, 200.16, 201.11
Conforms certain rules to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, ensures that chairpersons of committees on special education are ...

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CASigned into law 07/2008P-12IEP
A.B. 2555
Amends existing law that requires the parent of a pupil be given, in writing, a proposed assessment plan within a specified time frame of th...

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LASigned into law 07/2008P-12Dyslexia Screenings
S.B. 719
By January 30, 2009, requires the state board to implement a pilot program to provide universal screening of students in grades prekindergar...

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MASigned into law 07/2008P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Transition Age Requirements and Measurable Postsecondary Goals
S.B. 286
Provides for maintaining transition age requirements and measurable postsecondary goals for school age students with disabilities.
http://ww...

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NCSigned into law 07/2008P-12Educational Services for Students With Disabilities
H.B. 12
Amends the definition of educational services for students with disabilities; amends the law to allow a designee or designees of a student's...

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NHSigned into law 07/2008P-12Procedures for Delivery of Special Education and Related Services
H.B. 679
Revises the procedures for delivery of special education services by school districts and other agencies; requires a law enforcement agency ...

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NHSigned into law 07/2008P-12Financial Liability for Placement of Child with Disability
H.B. 765
Establishes a committee to study the financial liability for placement of a child with a disability; provides for the powers and duties of t...

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NHSigned into law 07/2008P-12Changes in Special Education Law
H.B. 766
Revises numerous statutes relating to special education; expands, updates, and clarifies definitions; expands the duties of the Department o...

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NYSigned into law 07/2008P-12Student with Disabilities in Homeschool Program
A.B. 11463
Provides that solely for purposes of providing services to special education students and the computation of state aid, a student with disab...

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NYVetoed 07/2008P-12New York State Schools for the Deaf and Blind
A.B. 9511
Requires school districts to provide information to parents of blind and deaf students regarding programs and institutions administered by t...

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RISigned into law 07/2008P-12Students with Disabilities
H.B. 7715
Excerpt: (b) Notwithstanding any other federal or state law or regulation, the school committee where a parentally placed child who has or d...

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CTSigned into law 06/2008P-12Special Education Instruction
H.B. 5590
Concerns special education and instructional methods concerning autism and other developmental disabilities; requires the development and us...

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FLSigned into law 06/2008P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Student w/ Disabilies Policies
H.B. 1313
Relates to charter schools, the Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program, postsecondary education, school attendance, and high sc...

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HISigned into law 06/2008P-12Decisionmaking for Adult Special Education Students
S.B. 2879
Establishes a power of attorney for adult special education students. Provides a process for revocation of the power of attorney for special...

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HISigned into law 06/2008P-12Due Process Hearings
S.B. 2004
Extends the deadline within which to file a request for a due process hearing relating to the education of a child with a disability from ni...

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LASigned into law 06/2008P-12Comprehensive Revision of Special Education Legislation
H.B. 1053
Provides for comprehensive revision of the educational opportunities for children with exceptionalities provisions. The following are the ma...

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MOAdopted 06/2008P-12ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY LOAN PROGRAM
5 CSR 110-1.020
Proposes to move rules from the Office of Administration to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Allows the council to esta...

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NHSigned into law 06/2008P-12Autism Spectrum Disorder
H.B. 1634
Establishes the Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders to coordinate supports and services for individuals and their families; states that the...

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OKSigned into law 06/2008P-12Training of Behavior Therapists - Autism
S.B. 2071
Relates to schools; requests the Regional University System of Oklahoma to establish a comprehensive autism training program at the Universi...

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KSSigned into law 05/2008P-12School Finance
S.B. 531
Provides that a student enrolled in a district and attending both a non-virtual school and a virtual school must be counted as that proporti...

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NJSigned into law 05/2008P-12
Postsec.
Alicia's Law
S.B. 442
Enacts Alicia's Law, permits a student whose high school special education program requires instruction beyond four years to participate wit...

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OKSigned into law 05/2008P-12Three Year Placements
H.B. 2518
Relates to transfers for children with disabilities; provides that beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, a transfer granted for a child ...

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COSigned into law 04/2008P-12Student Intervention for Special Education
S.B. 89
Allows an administrative unit to use no more than a specified percentage of the funding it receives under the Exceptional Children's Educati...

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MDSigned into law 04/2008P-12Physical Ed. for Students with Disabilities
H.B. 1411; S.B. 849
Requires county boards of education to ensure that students with disabilities have certain opportunities in specified physical education and...

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MESigned into law 04/2008P-12Screening for Autism
S.B. 771
Requires the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services to convene an interdepartmental work group to develop a...

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NESigned into law 04/2008P-12Certificate of Attendance
L.B. 1153
At the request of 1 a parent or guardian, a school district is to issue a certificate of attendance to a student who receives special educat...

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ILAdopted 03/2008P-12Special Education Facilities
23 IAC 401.10, .30, .210
Emergency rule (expires 8-18-08) includes a new provision expressly prohibiting the "use of a behavioral intervention strategy relying upon ...

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MESigned into law 03/2008P-12Special Education Evaluations
H.B. 1387
Directs the Department of Education to amend its rules governing special education to provide a deadline of 45 school days for the completio...

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MSSigned into law 03/2008P-12
Postsec.
Blind Persons' Literacy Rights and Education Act
H.B. 638
Amends portions of the Blind Persons' Literacy Rights and Education Act. Relates to requirements for for the development of an individualize...

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TNSigned into law 03/2008P-12Training
S.B. 3642
Changes the required training regulations for special education mediators and administrative law judges who conduct due process hearings.Tra...

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VASigned into law 03/2008P-12Access to Public Places for Persons With Disabilities
H.B. 214
Adds public entities, including schools, to the list of public places in which persons with disabilities are entitled to the same full and f...

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WASigned into law 03/2008P-12
Postsec.
Disability History Month
S.B. 6313
Every October, public schools and postsecondary institutions must conduct or promote educational activities that provide instruction, awaren...

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WASigned into law 03/2008P-12Strategies for Success for Students with Disabilities and Reporting Requirements on the WASL
H.B. 3212
The Center for the Improvement of Student Learning (CISL) and the education ombudsman are directed to identify strategies to improve the aca...

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WASigned into law 03/2008P-12Interdistrict Transfers for Employees' Children with Special Education Needs
H.B. 2137
School districts must allow the children of full-time classified and certificated employees to enroll in a district that offers early educat...

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WVSigned into law 03/2008P-12Service Personnel and Authority
H.B. 4478
Gives authority to certain aides to exercise control over students; expands the classifications of service personnel to include paraprofessi...

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SDVetoed 02/2008P-12Deaf/Hearing Impaired
H.B. 1242
Requires the Department of Education and the Board of Regents to establish programs and policies for children who are deaf and hard-of-heari...

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MISigned into law 01/2008P-12Special Education Policies
S.B. 730 (sec. 1701)
Addresses several special education policies and requirements, including student learning plans, transportation, personnel, funding, placeme...

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NJSigned into law 01/2008P-12Burden of Proof
A.B. 4076
Places the burden of proof and burden of production on school districts in due process hearings conducted to resolve special education issue...

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NJSigned into law 01/2008P-12Billy's Law
S.B. 2490
Establishes the Council on Out-of-State Placement of Children and the registry of qualified out-of-State residential schools and programs in...

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+ Special Education--Federal Law/Regulations
+ Special Education--Finance
+ Special Education--Placement
+ Special Education--Transition
+ Special Populations--Corrections Education
+ Special Populations--Foster Care
+ Special Populations--Gifted and Talented
+ Special Populations--Homeless Education
+ Special Populations--Military
+ Standards
+ State Comparisons/Statistics
+ State Longitudinal Data Systems
+ State Policymaking
+ State Policymaking--Ballot Questions
+ State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions
+ STEM
+ Student Achievement
+ Student Achievement--Closing the Achievement Gap
+ Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance
+ Student Supports--Mentoring/Tutoring
+ Student Supports--Remediation
+ Students
+ Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities
+ Students--Incentives
+ Students--Mobility
+ Students--Records/Rights
+ Teaching Quality
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Alternative
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Natl. Bd. for Prof. Teach. Stds.
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Special Education
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--State Prof. Standards Bds.
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Substitute Teachers
+ Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Pay-for-Performance
+ Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits
+ Teaching Quality--Evaluation and Effectiveness
+ Teaching Quality--Induction Programs and Mentoring
+ Teaching Quality--Paraprofessionals
+ Teaching Quality--Preparation
+ Teaching Quality--Professional Development
+ Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention
+ Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention--At-Risk Schools
+ Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention--High-Needs Subjects
+ Teaching Quality--Reduction in Force
+ Teaching Quality--Teacher Rights
+ Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract
+ Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining
+ Technology
+ Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware
+ Technology--Funding Issues
+ Technology--Internet Safety
+ Technology--Teacher/Faculty Training
+ Textbooks and Open Source
+ Urban
+ Urban--Governance
+ Whole Child